Celebrants is the fifth major album release by progressive acoustic trio Nickel Creek released on 24 March 2023 via Thirty Tigers.[1] It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
| Celebrants | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 24, 2023[1] | |||
| Studio | RCA Studio A[2] | |||
| Genre | Progressive bluegrass | |||
| Label | Thirty Tigers[2] | |||
| Producer | Eric Valentine | |||
| Nickel Creek chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Celebrants | ||||
| ||||
Background edit
After a tour supporting their 2014 album A Dotted Line, the band members focused attention on their various other projects.[1] Chris Thile was the host of Live From Here until the show's conclusion in 2020 and continued to perform with Punch Brothers.[1] Sean Watkins released a solo album and recorded with sister and fellow Nickel Creek member Sara Watkins as Watkins Family Hour.[1] Sara also performed with I'm With Her and played fiddle on albums from Phoebe Bridgers and The Killers.[1] The album process started in early 2021 when the group performed via livestreaming sessions and culminated with 4 weeks of recording in Nashville's RCA Studio A.[1] It was released on 24 January 2023.
"This is a record about embracing the friction inherent in real human connection. We begin the record yearning for and pursuing harmonious connection. We end the record having realized that truly harmonious connection can only be achieved through the dissonance that we’ve spent our entire adult lives trying to avoid."
— Nickel Creek on the meaning of the album
Promotion edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Paste | 8.6/10[4] |
Ahead of the announced release of the album, the band has scheduled a number of tour dates, including a 3-night block at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and appearances at the Railbird Festival and Telluride Bluegrass Festival.[5]
Track listing edit
All tracks written by Chris Thile, Sara Watkins, and Sean Watkins unless noted.[6]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Celebrants" | 3:24 |
| 2. | "Strangers" | 4:45 |
| 3. | "Water Under The Bridge, Part 1" | 1:09 |
| 4. | "The Meadow" | 3:30 |
| 5. | "Thinnest Wall" | 3:08 |
| 6. | "Going Out..." | 3:05 |
| 7. | "Holding Pattern" | 3:06 |
| 8. | "Where The Long Line Leads" | 3:25 |
| 9. | "Goddamned Saint" | 4:44 |
| 10. | "Stone's Throw" | 3:11 |
| 11. | "Goddamned Saint, Reprise" | 0:52 |
| 12. | "From The Beach" | 3:27 |
| 13. | "To The Airport" | 4:03 |
| 14. | "...Despite The Weather" | 4:03 |
| 15. | "Hollywood Ending" | 4:17 |
| 16. | "New Blood" | 3:40 |
| 17. | "Water Under The Bridge, Part 2" | 1:05 |
| 18. | "Failure Isn't Forever" | 5:01 |
Personnel edit
Nickel Creek edit
- Chris Thile – mandolin, vocals
- Sean Watkins – guitar, vocals
- Sara Watkins – violin, guitar, vocals
Musicians edit
- Mike Elizondo – bass
Production edit
Charts edit
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Country Albums (OCC)[7] | 4 |
| US Billboard 200[8] | 196 |
| US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[9] | 18 |
| US Top Bluegrass Albums (Billboard)[10] | 1 |
| US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[11] | 23 |
| US Folk Albums (Billboard)[12] | 7 |
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g Vorel, Jim (24 January 2023). "Nickel Creek Announce Celebrants, First Album in Nine Years". Paste. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Nine years later, Nick Creek is back". Country Standard Time. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Nickel Creek - Celebrants". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "Love and Panic Dance Hand in Hand on Nickel Creek's Celebrants". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ Rettig, James (24 January 2023). "Nickel Creek – "Strangers"". Stereogum. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ Freeman, John (24 January 2023). "Nickel Creek Announce New Album 'Celebrants'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Nickel Creek Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ "Nickel Creek Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard.
- ^ "Nickel Creek Chart History (Top Bluegrass Albums)". Billboard.
- ^ "Nickel Creek Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard.
- ^ "Nickel Creek Chart History (Top Americana/Folk Albums)". Billboard.